Forums39
Topics38,781
Posts313,886
Members26,582
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
20 registered members (steve74, MarkS, SXMBND, Todd, Scubacat, BHK, foreversxm, marybeth, 706jim, Kennys, Calvin, YachtReprise, zeus1963, Zanshin, StMartinFan, GeorgeC1, 4 invisible),
1,086
guests, and 277
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
We have arrived!
#302557
06/10/2023 02:20 PM
06/10/2023 02:20 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,001 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,001
Central Florida!
|
So, we have arrived in paradise! As is the case with pretty much anyone, lots of c*ap needs to be done before one can enjoy paradise, and this trip was no exception! Fortunately, a couple of things at my office that I had been worried about for a while got resolved, right before we left, so I think I will finally be able to relax, now that we are here!! Nowadays, we normally drive 3.5 hours one way to Miami for the AA non-stop. We had originally booked the later flight from Miami, (way back last fall) and then AA cancelled that later flight, so we were left on the 10:30 AM flight, which meant we had to get up at 3 AM for the drive. Yay. Not. Anyway, after dropping our car at Park and Fly in Miami, which I can't recommend enough, we proceeded to the airport. In a lovely change since the lessening of Covid, we were able to check our suitcase outside (AA only, I think/?) which was a nice change. Thereafter, we suffered the indignities of Miami Airport, Including their horrific breakfast options. Our flight boarded on time, but unfortunately we sat on the plane for 40 minutes waiting to take off, due to weather. Eventually we took off, and ultimately arrived about 20 minutes late. Our flight was totally full. There were no forms to fill out, pre-entry, and just have to state orally where you are going to stay. Once again, I enjoyed totally lovely wheechair service in SXM, in Miami, not horrible, but not great either. We met our guy from AAA for our rental car for the 10 days, and enjoyed a talk with a fellow AAA customer, who was there for a long weekend, whose 'regular' job is working as a professional diver. Eventually, we arrived at Beachside Villas. Based on the past week or so, I was worried what we would find when we arrived, as far as seaweed. Thankfully, the beach was basically clear, and the rainbow was an excellent sign!! We headed out to Carrefour by Mark's to get some supplies and scored some pre-seasoned ribs, which we cooked on the grill for dinner. Dinner was ribs and baked potatoes, followed closely by bed at 8 PM. Saturday came somewhat early, and looking out the sliders, there was a tremendous relief, looking at a basically clear beach! We headed out to Super U for some wine and wine glasses and some other items we had missed yesterday. We managed to score some lamb chops, so that will be dinner this evening. After, we headed to the Greenhouse for lunch. Overall, not a great experience, but good enough. Due to not knowing what the situation will be with Driftwood this evening, we are in the for the evening, which isn't a bad thing at all.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: We have arrived!
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#302562
06/10/2023 03:36 PM
06/10/2023 03:36 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 296 Lake Orion, MI
gomer36
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 296
Lake Orion, MI
|
Glad you made it! The baton is passed. We're sitting at the bar in departures waiting for our flight to be called. Listening to the anoun ements for both Miami and Charlotte AA departures way overbooked..looking for volunteers.
Enjoy your stay! We had a great time as always.
"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came." ~ John F. Kennedy
|
|
|
Re: We have arrived!
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#302563
06/10/2023 03:37 PM
06/10/2023 03:37 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 185 East Tennessee
lhbsurf
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 185
East Tennessee
|
Yay! Glad you made it... we enjoyed the beautiful rainbow last evening as well!
Laura
|
|
|
Re: We have arrived!
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#302569
06/10/2023 05:11 PM
06/10/2023 05:11 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081 Clearwater, FL
Biturbo
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
|
We'll be driving 4.5 hours to Miami and using the same parking (at your recommendation). Direct non-stops from Tampa are too few to make it work. Hopefully no delay or cancellation. I did notice that red wine was included in your supplies. Enjoy.
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
|
|
|
Re: We have arrived!
[Re: Biturbo]
#302573
06/10/2023 05:39 PM
06/10/2023 05:39 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,001 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,001
Central Florida!
|
Biturbo--I really can't recommend Park N Fly enough. This time we actually had to wait--probably 3 or 4 minutes--for a shuttle bus from the parking lot to the airport. That was a first! Normally there is a shuttle bus sitting there when we pull up. And I am always so impressed with how quickly they show up at the airport when you come home. I hate waiting around for a shuttle bus to get back to my car at the end.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: We have arrived!
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#302575
06/10/2023 06:16 PM
06/10/2023 06:16 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,314 RI
jomarc
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,314
RI
|
Have a wonderful trip you two. Happy Anniversary!
Looking forward to reading about your adventures.
Jo-
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
|
|
|
Re: We have arrived!
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#302577
06/10/2023 06:21 PM
06/10/2023 06:21 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,314 RI
jomarc
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,314
RI
|
Have a wonderful trip you two. Happy Anniversary!
Looking forward to reading about your adventures.
Jo-
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
|
|
|
Re: We have arrived!
[Re: fabila]
#302603
06/11/2023 10:24 AM
06/11/2023 10:24 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,001 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,001
Central Florida!
|
Louise--not sure what you mean about Driftwood. That was supposed to be last night. We stayed in, worried that people would clog up the road.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: We have arrived!
[Re: jazzgal]
#302611
06/11/2023 12:03 PM
06/11/2023 12:03 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,001 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,001
Central Florida!
|
LInda--Huh. It was supposed to be $15 a person, and there were 4 people supposed to perform, including Connis. I wonder whehter it happened or not.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|